Use of Platitudes (sentence, examples, speech)

[601halfdozen0theother]

Platitudes drive me crazy, although I guess they're found more in speech than in writing. Two in particular drive me batty:

"I believe that everything happens for a reason." Yes - it's called cause and effect.

"I believe children are our future." Durrrrr - they certainly didn't exist in our past!

But then, I got to thinking - are these really platitudes or is there another name for a statement that is blatantly obvious but presented as a unique point of view?

Are the above sentences platitudes or something else?

And what are some other examples of platitudes? Do they drive you crazy or are they a useful language tool?

[harry chickpea]

"I believe that everything happens for a reason." Yes - it's called cause and effect.

The person expresses a passing mystical (and rarely thought out) belief in Kismet and serendipity, kinda like the casino is playing with a loaded deck in their favor. You on the other hand are expressing a belief in Newtonian physics.

"I believe children are our future." Durrrrr - they certainly didn't exist in our past!

Ummm, if children didn't exist in our past...

[Dirt Grinder]

It's not the heat, it's the humidity.

[chiroptera]

As a condolence on someone's death.

"S/he is in a better place now."

[ESFP]

"... each and every one of you." Every time I hear that, I want to jump out the window. That's why I never go to meetings that aren't on ground level.

[harpoonalt]

Sorry....thought we were talking Platypus........never mind.

[Schrodinger's Kittens]

"Good things come to those who wait." Baloney. Good things come to those who work their tails off.

I hate that saying. HATE it.

[Ohiogirl81]

Much of the time people say these things when they don't know what else to say.

[601halfdozen0theother]

It's ok, everybody - today is the first day of the rest of your life!

[Bunjee]

I like the synonym bromide. Sounds like cheap stomach medicine, meant to soothe but ends up causing severe irritation. But whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger.